MamaWals

Thank you so much!

If he doesn’t drink soda / pop you can also decline so you don’t waste money on the gratuities associated with the packages. While the drinks are free you still have to pay the automatic gratuities for them. Our kids are all under 10 and don’t drink soda so that’s what we did.

We’re taking an NCL Alaskan cruise in June 2023 on the Jewel. Our most recent cruise experiences have been with Disney Cruise Line and it’s been almost a decade since we’ve cruised with NCL so I don’t remember if I need to book things ahead of time with NCL like we do with DCL. On NCL can you / should you book specialty dining before you board? If so, when is that done? Regarding shore excursions, when do you recommend booking those? We’ve already booked our debarkation train ride to Anchorage but haven’t booked the other shore excursions yet because I’m trying to spread out the cost, but I also don’t want to miss out if they fill up quickly. Is there anything else I should book ahead of time, like spa treatments? On another note, I remember NCL having white parties. Do they still do those? Are there any other special events I should pack specific clothes for? Thank you!

Find out the car seat laws at your stops. I have only taken my kids on cruises in the carribbean and I chose shore excursions that didn’t require car seats - buses or things within walking distance of the ship. We’re doing our first Alaskan cruise next year specifically because all kids will be big enough for booster seats (youngest will be 6). I used bubblebum boosters at Disney World this year and they were very easy to use and transport.

Actually, it’s generally the opposite. Stay at home moms generally want less time with their kids on vacation and working moms generally want more. That being said, just ask her! Explain your concerns. She may want every other night, or a few hours each day.